Zero Waste Living: How to Make DIY Deodorant

Friday, September 29, 2017

By: Ariana Palmieri

Have you ever tried making your own zero waste deodorant? If not, maybe you should. A bunch of harmful ingredients can be found lurking in conventional deodorant (aluminium anyone?). Not to mention most deodorants are packaged in plastic, which is not ideal if you follow the zero waste movement. Every piece of plastic ever created still exists on this earth! We don't need any more of it, especially not in deodorant form.

So, what's the solution? A fun DIY of course! It literally takes no more than 30 minutes to make your own zero waste deodorant (if that much). Plus, it will save you some big bucks in the long run. The recipe I'm sharing with you today is scented with lemon and lavender essential oil, and it smells absolutely amazing. I only needed a total of six ingredients, all of which I already had hanging around my house. I really love this deodorant, and it works fantastic. It keeps me stink-free, without all the chemicals. What more could I ask for?

That said, everyone is different, and what works for me, might not work for you. I did a lot of research to find the perfect recipe for me, so you may have to tweak this one to fit your needs. Just use it as a base and adjust it as you see fit! Also, this is not an antiperspirant, so sweat is inevitable (though I noticed it did help keep me dry). It will definitely help keep you stink-free though, which is what's most important (to me at least). This particular recipe is also perfect for on-the-go storage, as it makes a small amount. I used a 2 oz. glass jar to hold my deodorant, which is super easy to fit in my bag. You can always double or even triple the recipe if you'd like to make more (but honestly, this was the only jar I had available). Ready to see how to make your own DIY deodorant? Lets get started!

Note: If you're not sure where to get any of these ingredients, I highly recommend Mountain Rose Herbs. They sell a lot of ingredients in bulk: It's where I got my shea butter! Also, you don't have to use the essential oils I chose. Some good alternatives are peppermint, lemongrass, orange, and thyme.

Directions:

Start by placing 1 1/2 tablespoons of shea butter and coconut oil in a bowl. You can heat this up in the microwave, or over a double boiler. Just make sure both liquids are fully melted. If putting it in the microwave, 2 minutes or so should do the trick.

Mix in 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Make sure to combine these two ingredients well with the liquids. It should form an off-white, liquid paste that resembles pancake batter.

Now add the essential oils of your choice and mix it all together. I added 20 drops of lemon and 20 drops of lavender because I like those scent combos. Whatever scent you choose, you don't have to add as much as I did. It all depends on preference.

Last, but not least, pour your mixture into a small glass jar and store in the fridge. My glass jar was about 2 ounces and fit perfectly, so if you'd like to make a bigger batch, just double the ingredients. Leave your deodorant in the fridge for 20 minutes, or until it hardens and cools. Then just scoop some onto your finger and smear it under your pits. You'll smell great for the rest of your day!

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About Me

Ariana Palmieri is a zero waste blogger dedicated to sustainable living, all-natural products, and improving the environment in Staten Island, New York. In July 2015 she started her blog, Greenify-Me, and in 2017 she joined the zero waste community. She's been blogging from a zero waste angle ever since. Her work has been featured on MindBodyGreen, Motivation Grid, The Penny Hoarder, Plant Makeup, Basmati, and several other publications.